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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Nature & guṇasChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.2218.24

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.23

Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modes

Prakṛti · Material nature

नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषत: कृतम् ।

अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते ॥ २३ ॥

niyataṁ saṅga-rahitam

arāga-dveṣataḥ kṛtam

aphala-prepsunā karma

yat tat sāttvikam ucyate

Translation

That action which is regulated and which is performed without attachment, without love or hatred, and without desire for fruitive results is said to be in the mode of goodness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Action in Goodness

  1. 1

    Regulated action done without attachment, love or hatred, or desire for rewards is in the mode of goodness.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that these duties follow scripture and are done without claiming ownership, in Kṛṣṇa consciousness to satisfy the Supreme.

  3. 3

    Perform your duties to please the Supreme, not for your own gratification.

Key points from the purport

Action in the mode of goodness

Action which is:

Regulated by sastra

Performed without attachment, without love or hatred

Without fruitive desires

In his purport to Text 18.23, Srila Prabhupada closely equates the mode of goodness with Krishna consciousness

Further reading

The Modes Control All Activities

One’s work according to the five factors mentioned above is dictated by the three modes of material nature

This includes:

One’s knowledge (19-22) o One’s action (23-26)

One’s performance of action (27-28) o One’s understandings (29-32)

One’s determination(33-35) o One’s happiness (36-39)

All activities within the universe are thus controlled by the three modes SAKAMA TO NISKAMA KARMA YOGA

Chapter 18, section III: The Modes Control All Activities
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. niyatamregulated
  2. saṅga-rahitamwithout attachment
  3. arāga-dveṣataḥwithout love or hatred
  4. kṛtamdone
  5. aphala-prepsunāby one without desire for fruitive result
  6. karmaaction
  7. yatwhich
  8. tatthat
  9. sāttvikamin the mode of goodness
  10. ucyateis called
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.23 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 18.19Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modesBG 18.20Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modesBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā
Live this todayWorship Kṛṣṇa Through Your WorkA practice from BG 18.46, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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